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A handrail should start at the bottom step's riser and extend to the top riser, continuing slightly beyond both the top and bottom steps if possible. A good rule of thumb is from the nosing of the upper landing to the nosing of the lowest step. This extra length provides better grip and safety when entering or exiting the staircase.

To child- or pet-proof your deck railing, look for railing systems with narrow spacing—under 4 inches—between balusters or panels. For added safety, consider installing a clear acrylic or mesh guard along the inside of the railing to prevent small limbs or paws from slipping through. Avoid horizontal rails that adventurous kids can climb like ladders. You can also add self-closing gates at stair openings to limit access.

If the stairs are already covered in carpet, you will need to remove the old carpet and possibly the carpet pad. Any damage to the stairs like cracks, loose boards, or creaky treads may also need to be repaired. You may also want to sand and refinish or paint wood stairs before installing a carpet runner.

There are a lot of ways you can get your basement stairs looking nice, but the best options are installing laminate plank flooring or painting the risers, staining the treads, and installing a carpet runner. Vinyl flooring is less involved but will be more expensive, and both options are suitable for most DIYers.